RAINBOWALL - [MAXNAT] FANFIC

CHAPTER 57 - STILL LIKE YOU 💌

FYI - Start from now on, I will not use any of MAXNAT photo for this Fanfic because it's hard to find a photo suit the situation.

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Max stared at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, gripping the sink as if to ground himself. Get it together. It's just Nath. Just Nath-who had come on this trip to take a break. Just Nath-who was sitting on his bed right now, waiting for him to come back 💫.

Max groaned, pressing his forehead against the cool glass. Why was he making this weird ? He had never been like this before. But there was something about Nath-the way he carried himself, the way he spoke, the way he rarely smiled... but when he did, it made Max feel like he had won something❤️.

Max exhaled slowly. This is fine. Just act normal. With that thought, he turned off the bathroom light and headed back to his room😬.

Nath was still sitting at the edge of the bed, lost in his own thoughts ~

Max: I'm done... you wanna take a shower ?

Max's voice startled Nath.

Nath: Ohhh 😯 ???

Max: I said... you can take a shower if you want.

Nath: Ohh... yeah, you're right. I should take a shower. “Stuttering🤭”

Nath stood by the door for a second, towel in hand, unsure if Max had fallen asleep. The room was dim, lit only by the warm bedside lamp. His eyes drifted to Max's back-broad, still, and somehow... vulnerable.

Nath quietly walked to his side of the bed and sat down slowly, careful not to make any noise. But even the soft creak of the mattress caused Max to shift slightly. His voice, low and a little rough, broke the silence.

Max: You done ?

Nath: Yeah... done.

There was a long pause. Nath glanced over, his heart thudding a little too fast 💓. He didn't know why. Maybe it was the quiet, maybe it was the closeness, or maybe it was just... Max.

Max: The bed's big enough. You can lie down. I won't bite.

Nath: I didn't say you would 😶.

Still, Nath hesitated. Then, slowly, he lay down beside Max, careful to keep some space between them. But the air between them felt heavy, thick with something unspoken. The quiet wasn't awkward-it was charged.

Max turned slightly, just enough to see Nath from the corner of his eye.

Max: You okay ?

Nath: I am... I think. Just a lot on my mind 💭.

Max hummed, the sound deep in his throat.

Max: Same.

Another pause. The silence stretched, but not in a bad way. It felt like something was waiting. Something real.

Nath: Max... ?

Max: Yeah ?

Nath: Thanks for bringing me here. I know I didn't say it properly. I needed this. Not just the break... but being here. With you 💫.

Max's breath caught for just a second. He turned fully now, lying on his side, facing Nath.

Max: You don't have to thank me. I'm glad you're here. Really.

Nath looked at him, eyes searching-the kind of gaze that reached past everything fake and guarded. He didn't speak-he just looked.

Max suddenly felt nervous, like his heart was doing flips in his chest. That gaze. That silence. It made him want to say something reckless.